Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Last Sunday, we heard the Gospel story of how Jesus sent out seventy disciples two by two into the towns and villages he intended to visit. While in the towns, the disciples reported that even the demons submitted to them. Jesus said to them, “Do not rejoice at this, but rejoice that your names have been written in heaven.” Indeed, his instructions to them included nothing about casting out demons specifically. Rather, he instructed them to go forth and proclaim his peace, and to partake of the hospitality offered them. Perhaps that was where their power lay.

In offering Christ’s peace to the world, we fly in the face of hatred, chaos, and all spiritual discord. In breaking bread with one another, we see each other as brothers and sisters. Naturally the demons cower at this, for we are doing that which Jesus himself commands. We are doing our part here and now to restore all things to unity with God through Christ.

Today I had an encounter with a woman at the diner who asked simply for prayer. She lost several loved ones as well as two dogs in a short span of time, and was tired of being in pain. In other words, she was longing for the peace of Christ. I don’t claim to have done any great deed of power, but I asked her name, listened, and promised to pray for her. It is in these simple encounters that we show the power of Christ’s love in this hurting world. All of us who share in his baptism are called to this ministry of healing and love.

Blessings, Father Rick

When Pete and I were considering our summer getaway, we originally had dreams of Greek isles or the Scottish Highlands. Then reality came knocking. He is needed at the Shenzhen offices of his company for an extended period, during the hottest time of the year, naturally. So, not wanting to be apart for such a time and at so great a distance, we decided to get creative.

I will be taking my summer vacation with Pete in China, starting on Monday, July 15. We will be based in Shenzhen during the week, and hope to take several side trips on weekends. While he is at the office, I intend to work on some reading and studying that is difficult to accomplish at home, and perhaps to learn some Mandarin as well.

While I am away, Fr. Cromey will be taking the Wednesday services and fielding all pastoral calls. Supply priests have been arranged for the three Sundays I will be away, so please give them a good Tuxedo welcome. I will be checking emails, and will continue to write to you on Wednesdays via the newsletter. Please pray for traveling mercies. I will be back at the altar and pulpit on Sunday, August 11.

Father Rick

This year’s Summer Camp, run by the Town of Tuxedo’s Recreation Department started with a bang on Monday July 8th. The camp runs for six weeks, five days a week, with each Friday being a special outing, usually by bus, to different places of interest. The other four days feature games, crafts, cooking, swimming, and outdoor Summer Fun!

St Mary’s Outreach is sponsorsing 16 young people ranging in ages from 1st Graders to 8th graders. These are the children of families whose income level is such that they qualify for free school meals, and without the sponsorship their children would not be able to attend Summer Camp. The families have been asked to make a contribution of $100 per child leaving a further $500 to be provided by a sponsor or a group of sponsors. There are 16 children in need of sponsorship this year so we are hoping your generosity will enable us to raise the $8,000 commitment.

These donations will bring a Summer of delight to these local children and contributions of any amount will help to fund many smiles!

Contributions may be made online here (drop down Camp Sponsor) or by check to St Mary’s. Checks should be mailed to St Mary’s in Tuxedo, 10 Fox Hill Road, Tuxedo, NY 10987 or can be dropped off at the church office or in the collection plate at a Sunday service.

In the 2018 St Mary’s appeal, we were blessed with a number of kind and generous donors who sponsored a similar group of ‘happy campers.’ Thank you for your support!

Sue Heywood

St Mary’s Outreach Chair

We are pleased to announce that Mr. Sheldon Eldridge has been appointed as Organist and Choirmaster of St. Mary’s-in-Tuxedo, effective September 1, 2019.

Mr. Eldridge’s appointment concludes a rigorous search process that considered applicants from around the region. A seven person Search Committee—composed of choir members, parishioners, and the rector—participated in reviewing candidates and in selecting finalists.

Sheldon is a graduate of Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where he majored in organ and church music. Graduate study included organ performance with William Hays and choral conducting with Joseph Flummerfelt. He also coached with Eugene Roan (organ). Summer studies at Merton College, Oxford, involved courses in Renaissance music with Gustav Reese, Denis Stevens and Alec Robertson. Sheldon attended the Royal School of Church Music’s summer courses for many years. He is quite conversant with the great choral literature of our tradition, from the Tudor period to the present day.

Sheldon has held the position of Organist and Choirmaster in a number of Episcopal churches in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York State. He spent thirteen years at Trinity Church in Ossining, NY., where he affiliated the parish with the Royal School of Church Music, reconstituted the adult choir program, created a new parish psalter for the three-year cycle for the singing of Anglican Chant and established and directed an evensong/recital series and the annual service of Lessons and Carols and expanded while revising the choral music library. He has served on the Board of the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and is a member of the Saint Wilfrid Club of the City of New York.

A familiar figure at St. Mary’s-in-Tuxedo, Sheldon has served as occasional guest organist here, dating from the time of Fr. Cromey’s rectorate. Some years back, he served for thirteen months as interim Organist and Choirmaster.

Sheldon Eldridge has been teaching piano to children for over twenty years. Before moving to Princeton, New Jersey, he had a studio with over twenty-five students in northern New Jersey, principally in the Ridgewood area. He particularly enjoys working with beginners and giving them a happy experience learning to play well.

Many thanks to our Choir and Sunday School for the program year completed in June!

For the next two months, they will take a well-deserved break and restart in earnest the first Sunday after Labor Day. But church never takes a break, each Sunday in July and August there will be music (see last Sunday's offertory and postlude on Facebook) and an opportunity for kids to be involved. Come as you are and bring a friend.

Special thanks are due to our interim organist, Bruce Xu. Bruce stepped in with great enthusiasm and confidence just in time to lead our music program through the challenging liturgies of Holy Week and Easter, and has truly spoiled us with magnificent musical offerings on our organ, which he has been playing for half of his life! Bruce will continue to lead the musical portion of our worship through the end of August, and will then take on the role of Organ Scholar, working under the direction of our newly appointed Organist & Choirmaster.

Have a happy and safe summer!

P.S. The church is comfortably air-conditioned.

As part of  New City’s  Stop and Shop’s reusable Community Bag Community Bag Program -   when you purchase a $2.50 reusable Community Bag during the month of July, $1 will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rockland County .   This is a great way to support our work, the environment and, contribute to our local community. Spread the news! The more people who learn about the program and purchase the Community Bag during the month of  July , the more money we will raise to help continue our vital 1 to 1 mentoring services. If you have any questions, please contact  jmiller@bbbsofrc.com . To learn more about this program, please visit  stopandshop.bags4mycause.com .